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Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 2
This artwork was created by
Gilimbaa to represent how
Churches of Christ in Queensland
supports those in our care.
The individual and their family are
at the centre of everything we do.
Our mission of bringing the light of
Christ expands out to their
extended family and the wider
community.
The string game is a traditional
game of both Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures and is
played by boys and girls, as well as
adults. In this artwork, the string
game represents the pathways and
connections that link and lead to the
individual we are supporting.
Head Office
41 Brookfield Road
Kenmore Queensland 4069
Phone: 07 3327 1600
Fax: 07 3878 1268
Website: cofc.com.au
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................ 3
Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Partnerships (DATSIP) .......................................................... 3
Who is a Traditional Owner? ................................................. 4
Who is considered an Elder? ................................................. 4
When should I call someone Aunty or Uncle? ....................... 4
Aboriginal Communities ......................................................... 4
Discrete Communities ...................................................... 5
Sorry Business ....................................................................... 5
Torres Strait Islander Communities ....................................... 5
Tombstone Openings ............................................................ 6
Other general considerations................................................. 6
Wet season ....................................................................... 6
Travel across Torres Strait Islands ................................... 7
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 3
Introduction
This guide has been developed as a tool
for Churches of Christ in Queensland
staff for engaging with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander individuals and
communities. This will provide staff with
practical steps and guidance to ensure
that respectful relationships are
developed which are based on culturally
appropriate interactions.
It is important to note that Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities identify
as two distinct and separate entities and
protocols for engagement may vary
accordingly.
Please keep in mind this is not an
exhaustive list of actions and should you
have any questions please connect with an
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff
member or the Inclusion and Diversity Team
within the Human Resources group.
Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Partnerships (DATSIP)
DATSIP is the state government lead agency for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Affairs in Queensland. They work across whole of government but are also a valuable
resource for the Non-government sector in connecting with communities. DATSIP staff live
and work in these communities and may also be Traditional or Historical Owners. They will
have invaluable advice to support your visit so please pay close attention and follow any
directions given.
You can find out more about DATSIP on their website: datsip.qld.gov.au
Information relating to DATSIP regional offices and contact information can be located at:
datsip.qld.gov.au/people-communities/regional-centres
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 4
Who is a Traditional
Owner? Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people consider the lands and waters they have traditional affiliation and responsibility for as their ‘country’. Throughout Australia, clan and family groups as well as individuals hold the responsibility to look after or ‘care for country’.
Senior people in the community, who are
responsible for their traditional land and
waters, are referred to as ‘Traditional
Owners’. An ‘Acknowledgment of Traditional
Owners’ is an important mark of respect for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
and can be given by anyone.1
Who is considered an
Elder?
An Aboriginal (or Torres Strait Islander)
Elder is someone who has gained
recognition as a custodian of knowledge and
lore, and who has permission to disclose
knowledge and beliefs. In some instances
Aboriginal people above a certain age will
refer to themselves as Elders.2
When should I call
someone Aunty or
Uncle?
This is a term used by individuals as a
respectful acknowledgement of elders. You
should be invited by someone to refer to
them as Aunty or Uncle before doing so as a
sign of respect.
1 Arrow Energy. (2013). Protocol for
Acknowledgement to Traditional Owners. Available
at:
arrowenergy.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/2
193/Acknowledgement-to-Country-Protocol.pdf
Aboriginal Communities
A core component of Churches of Christ in
Queensland’s engagement with Aboriginal
communities will be to ensure that all staff
participate in cultural awareness training
prior to engaging with community via e-
learning modules and face-to-face sessions.
This will ensure that staff are appropriately
informed of relevant cultural sensitivities and
potential issues as part of engagement.
These steps will provide guidance to
Churches of Christ in Queensland staff with
a practical guide for engagement.
Steps for engagement:
1. Connect with internal Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander staff that may have
travelled to the region previously or have
existing relationships/contacts
2. Contact the nearest DATSIP regional
office to advise of your planned travel
dates and business purpose within
community
3. Identify from DATSIP relevant community
leaders or council members (more
relevant to discrete communities) that you
should also meet with as part of your visit
4. Once travel is confirmed contact the
appropriate contact person, council or
Elders a few days prior to your departure
to ensure it is still appropriate to visit.
Matters such as Sorry Business may
make it inappropriate for your planned
travel to proceed, it is considered highly
disrespectful and inappropriate to visit
community during these times without the
relevant permissions
2 Indigenous Teaching at Australian Universities.
(2012). Glossary of Terms. Available at:
indigenousteaching.com/glossary-terms
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 5
5. When you meet with leaders, Elders or
DATSIP staff clarify if there are any
issues you need to be made aware of
during your visit
6. Ensure any commitments or agreements
made to community during your visit are
followed through and that you regularly
report back and connect. Failure to do so
will result in decreased community trust
and confidence and you may not be
invited back!
It is important to note that these steps will
occur more naturally over time as
relationships are sustained and trust is
developed.
Please also refer to the DATSIP protocol
documents for engagement with Aboriginal
communities at:
datsip.qld.gov.au/people-
communities/protocols-
consultation/protocols-consultation-
negotiation-aboriginal-people
It is common that you will need to seek
council permission to be on country in
discrete communities, some remote
communities, Cape York Peninsula and
Torres Strait Islands.
Discrete Communities
A discrete Indigenous community refers to a
geographic location, bounded by physical or
cadastral (legal) boundaries, and inhabited
or intended to be inhabited by predominantly
Indigenous people, with housing or
infrastructure that is either owned or
managed on a community basis.
In Queensland these include Aurukun,
Cherbourg, Coen, Doomadgee, Hope Vale,
Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon,
Mornington Island, Mossman Gorge,
Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area
(includes Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon,
Seisia and Umagico), Palm Island,
Pormpuraaw, Woorabinda, Wujal, Yarrabah.
You MUST connect with local council before
travel to these locations.
Sorry Business
Sorry Business is a period of mourning in
both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
cultures after an individual passes away. It
affects families and loved ones it affects
work and can last from days to weeks. An
individual’s name can also not be spoken
during this period. A Churches of Christ in
Queensland staff member is able to utilise
the provisions within cultural leave during
these times.
Cultural/Ceremonial leave is available to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in
the first instance as three (3) days paid
leave. An additional five (5) days is also
available unpaid upon request.
Torres Strait Islander
Communities
The Torres Strait Islands are a truly
remarkable and beautiful location. Although
our organisation currently has no services in
this region is important that staff develop an
understanding of protocols for this unique
location.
1. Connect with Churches of Christ in
Queensland staff that may have travelled
to that region previously or have existing
relationships/contacts
2. Contact the nearest DATSIP regional
office to advise of your planned travel
dates and business purpose within
community
3. Identify from DATSIP relevant community
leaders or council members (more
relevant to discrete communities) that
should also meet with as part of your
visit.
4. Once travel is confirmed contact the
appropriate contact person, council or
Elders a few days prior to your departure
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 6
to ensure it is still appropriate to visit.
Matter such as Sorry Business may make
it inappropriate for your planned travel to
proceed, it is considered highly
disrespectful and inappropriate to visit
community during these times without the
relevant permissions.
5. When you meet with leaders, Elders or
DATSIP staff clarify if there are any
issues you need to be made aware of
during your visit.
6. Ensure any commitments or agreements
made to community during your visit are
followed through and that you regularly
report back and connect. Failure to do so
will result in decreased community trust
and confidence and you may not be
invited back!
Please also refer to the DATSIP protocol
documents for engaging with Torres Strait
Islander communities at:
datsip.qld.gov.au/people-
communities/protocols-
consultation/protocols-consultation-
negotiation-torres-strait-islander-people
Tombstone Openings
Tombstone ceremonies are a distinctive
feature of Torres Strait Islander culture
practiced both on the islands and by
Islander communities living on the mainland.
Following the arrival in 1871 of the London
Missionary Society (an event known as the
Coming of the Light) the majority of Torres
Strait Islanders converted to Christianity.
Islanders syncretised their own Indigenous
practices with Christianity (discussed in
module one of cultural awareness training).
The Tombstone Opening, when the
headstone is unveiled, takes place three
years after the death of a relative. The
3 Charles Darwin University. (2006). Torres Strait
Islands. Available at:
Tombstone Opening is a sign that the spirit
of the deceased has joined the other
ancestors and marks the end of the
mourning period. The Tombstone ceremony
brings together song, dance, the visual arts
and the preparation and display of food in a
‘flamboyant and extravagant ceremony3’. It
may not be appropriate for our organisation
to conduct business during these periods.
Other general
considerations
It is important to note that communities
(particularly discrete communities) can feel
overwhelmed by state and federal
government interventions. So the key to
your engagement being successful is
whatever your service or program area that
you seek community buy-in and community
ownership as appropriate as a core
component of your approach. This will gain
both you and our organisation respect and
credibility as well as the potential to diversify
into other opportunities into the future.
Wet season
During November to April each year roads
and various locations across North
Queensland and Far North Queensland
cannot be reached via road due to heavy
rain and may only be accessible by plane.
This is important to note for planning
purposes for travel and aiming to engage
during dry season for face-to-face meetings.
learnline.cdu.edu.au/units/aht214/westeast/torres.h
tml
June 2017 Community protocols for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Communities
Page 7
Travel across Torres Strait Islands
The main services hub for the Torres Strait
Islands is located on Thursday Island.
Majority of government and non-government
services are located here. Torres Strait has
three levels of council including:
Torres Shire Council (Thursday
Island- local council):
torres.qld.gov.au
Torres Strait Regional Council (Outer
Islands): tsirc.qld.gov.au
Torres Strait Regional Authority
(federal authority): tsra.gov.au
Each of these bodies has its own
governance including a CEO and Mayor.
When travelling to the outer islands each of
these bodies have their own Mayor or
representative.
You MUST have permission to visit the
outer islands.
It’s important to be prepared as travel to the
islands is only available via charter flights
which can be very costly! There may be an
opportunity to share a charter flights with
other government agencies so make sure
you connect with DATSIP beforehand.
Travel to Torres Strait Islands is available
from Cairns-Horn Island via Qantas link.
There are then two ferry companies on Horn
Island who can get you across the 15minute
trip to Horn Island. More can be learned
about the region via tsra.gov.au/the-torres-
strait
Don’t be afraid to ask questions if
you’re ever unsure. Your actions and
cultural capability during engagement
WILL determine future relationships
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities so provide
them with the respect and regard
necessary.
The Churches of Christ in
Queensland Stakeholder Directory
may also assist you in connecting
with appropriate contacts from
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities. This is saved on the
shared directory and RAP Sharepoint
page.
About Churches of Christ in Queensland
Churches of Christ in Queensland has a significant presence in Queensland, Victoria and
Vanuatu with over 200 services in more than 100 communities, positively impacting
thousands of lives each year. We operate a range of missional and community care
services to assist families, the elderly and people in need through church communities and
our care services groups operated through Churches of Christ Care and Churches of Christ
Housing Services.
